Truck rises to occasion
Many little boys dream of Santa leaving a shiny, red fire truck under the tree. The grown men of Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue recently got a full-sized version, just in time for Christmas.

Polling locations changed
When voters in several Columbia County precincts head to the polls for the presidential primary in February, they'll cast their ballots at new locations.

Three tapped for U.S. academies
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, a former Marine and a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, has announced the names of three Columbia County high school and college students he has recommended for appointment to U.S. military academies.

Wagon loads of wishes
C.J. Dube, 7, helps to unload wagons and other toys for the Wagon of Wishes 2007 donations Dec. 14 at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center.

Police blotter
Joseph Anthony Capozzi, 50, of George Street in Grovetown, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder at a Columbia County sentencing hearing. Superior Court Judge Duncan Wheale sentenced Capozzi to five years in prison, followed by 15 years' probation.

Pet of the week
This black-and-white female tabby cat is between 1- and 2-years-old and is available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control.

Donations go to nonprofit groups
Jim Hudson (center), of Jim Hudson Lexus in Martinez, donated more than $12,000 and toys to 12 area nonprofit groups at a ceremony Friday at the dealership on Washington Road.

Jowers honored with street name
Dr. Ron Jowers (left) talks to Columbia County Tax Assessor Kay Allen and state Sen. Bill Jackson after a ceremony in which he was recognized for his longtime service to the county by giving Oak Street North in Martinez the honorary name of Jowers Drive.

Timeout on a Grand Canyon excursion
During a late October, three-day hike into the Grand Canyon, Peter Clause, of Evans, (from left); Tom Ruffin, of Martinez; Michael Wren, of Louisville, Ky.; Mike Wren, of Martinez; Wade Sosebee, of Harlem; and Branan Ruffin, of Martinez, took a break at Pipe Creek Beach on the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.

Time capsule
As reported 49 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Dec. 18, 1958:

'Good guys' still tainted
Though I never cared much for the politics of Tom Murphy, it's been sad the past few years to hear about his declining health.

Stories from war, at Christmastime
My eyes almost burned with tears as I read the story. My cousin, John R. Jones, had written me an e-mail in which he recounted an episode of Christmas, 1966.

New tournament tips off this weekend
An annual basketball tournament put on by Augusta Christian and Westminster will have a different feel to it this year. The Garden City Classic title is gone, but the teams attending are bigger than ever.